Median rent is 12% lower in San Antonio ($1,324/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in San Antonio, where the median home runs $235,700 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $65,056 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 94.3 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
San Antonio, TX
How much would you need to earn in San Antonio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in San Antonio, TX
$76,958
You'd need $1,958 more (3% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Durham
North Carolina
San Antonio
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in San Antonio at $1,324/mo compared to $1,508/mo in Durham (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Durham: the median home is $392,800 versus $235,700 in San Antonio — 40% more expensive.
Metric
Durham
San Antonio
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,619/yr).
Pick San Antonio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,324/mo median).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Durham.
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, TX has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $65,056 in San Antonio, TX. Durham, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Durham, NC has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $102,611 in San Antonio, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
